Thank you very much. I've forwarded your reply to the [log in to unmask] listserver so that the members can better evaluate how the regulations might affect them. The comment in my request came from a members posting.

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 1:20 PM

To: [log in to unmask]

Cc: Marine

Subject: RE: E-Mail From FWC Web Site: FL Keys

Good afternoon Mr. Brenner,

Thank you for your e-mail to the Division of Marine Fisheries Management. I have done some investigation and have been unable to find any official documentation of the entire Florida Keys being designated as a 'preserve'.

That said, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary was established in 1990 when President George Bush signed the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act into law. The act designated approximately 2,800 square nautical miles of state and federal waters in the Keys as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. There are a variety of zones with a range of permitted activities within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. More information can be found at:

As to the land area of the Keys, the 2004 Florida Statutes includes a section referred to as the "Florida Keys Area Protection Act" that you may access at:

nu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=CH0380/Sec0552.HTM

(this link may take a minute to load). Additionally, Florida has designated the Keys as an Area of Critical State Concern, making all county-commission decisions subject to state scrutiny.

I hope this information will assist you and apologize that I could not be of more assistance. If you see the commercial again and are able to determine the sponsor and/or if you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will investigate this matter further.

Have a good day,

Michelle Owen

Environmental Specialist II

FWC - Division of Marine Fisheries Management Outreach and Education 850

488-6058 fax 850 488-7152 [log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----

From: email.fwc

Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 4:33 PM

To: Marine

Subject: FW: E-Mail From FWC Web Site

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 2:49 PM

To: email.fwc

Subject: E-Mail From FWC Web Site

MessageType: Question

Subject: Saltwater Fisheries

SubjectOther: Shelling in the keys.

url:

Comments: I just caught a television commercial promoting travel to the Florida Keys with the tag line "Now that all of the Florida Keys are a preserve we can all breath a lot easier " voiced-over an underwater shot of a Loggerhead Turtle swimming over a reef. When did this happen?

Thanks.